It has been estimated that climate change could cause one in four properties to be at flood risk by 2050, but what are the solutions and is the Government’s current approach to flood resilience adequate?
The Environmental Audit Committee seeked to get to the bottom of these issues with the Climate Change Committee’s Adaptation Committee, the National Infrastructure Commission, academics specialising in flood risk and experts in flood and coastal risk management.
Members explored current Government policy and flood resilience approaches, and what may be needed as the future flood risk becomes greater with climate change. They considered nature-based solutions vs grey infrastructure, and how joined up England’s monitoring of the flood risk is.
The evidence session came following widespread flooding across England earlier in the month following heavy rainfall and snowmelt. Last week, a survey by Climate Barometer found that three-quarters of people think the UK is not prepared to deal with flooding and other extreme weather driven by climate change.
Witnesses
From 14.30:
The Baroness Brown of Cambridge DBE, Chair of the Adaptation Committee, Committee on Climate Change
Professor Richard Dawson, Member of the Adaptation Committee, Committee on Climate Change
From 15.15:
Professor Jim Hall, Commissioner, National Infrastructure Commission
Professor Briony McDonagh, Professor of Environmental Humanities, University of Hull
Professor Larissa Naylor, Professor of Geomorphology and Environmental Geography, University of Glasgow
Dr. Paul Sayers BEng PhD CEng MICE, Partner at Sayers and Partners